Disposable sealed hygienic pad elements with floor mop head

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices and methods for cleaning, dusting or applying disinfectants to a surface. The device features a sheath having a first surface and a second surface. The sheath is capable of assuming two positions. In said first position the first surface faces inward toward itself defining a first opening and a first chamber. In the second position the second surfaces faces inward towards itself defining a second opening and a second chamber and the first surfaces faces outward. At least one pad element is affixed to the first surface for cleaning, dusting or applying disinfectants as said sheath assumes the second position. A seal is associated with at least one of the first and second surfaces to close said first chamber for storing the pad element before use and after use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

The present invention was not made or developed with Federalsponsorship.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a disposable sheath with hygienic cleaning padelements to be used in conjunction with specially designed floor mopheads.

BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Numerous tools have been developed to clean floors and other surfaces ofdirt, debris and other contaminants. Traditional mops with strands ofyarn or rope can be effective in cleaning a floor but must be wetted bywater in a container and then cleaned and rinsed afterwards by hand orby a squeeze mechanism typically located within a mop bucket.

Cleaning floors in hospitals presents even more of a challenge. Not onlydo re-usable mops need to be laundered between use in some areas of ahospital, such an in operating rooms, they present a health hazard tothe janitorial staff when being removed from the mop head andtransported to the laundry. Mops are not even supposed to be returned tothe bucket following cleaning of operating room floors, such is the needto avoid cross-contamination of different rooms.

The need to improve the sanitary handling and ease of use of mops hasled to such innovations as disposable cleaning elements that are simplydiscarded after use. Cleaning elements comprised of disposable padelements or wipes eliminate the need to wash and rinse the mop itself.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,290 B2 describes an implement with acleaning head to receive and retain a disposable pad element. Anattachment mechanism is designed to hold the pad element securely inplace as it is wrapped around the mop head. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No.6,298,517 B1 describes a disposable series of pad elements that areattached to a mop head. These and other similar mop configurationsbenefit from having disposable pad elements that negate the need toclean the mop after use. However, many of these mops suffer from severalserious drawbacks:

-   (a) One of the most serious drawbacks is the need for the user to    touch the pad elements during installation and removal. Consumers    who abandoned traditional wet mops because they didn't want to clean    the mop head of dirt and grime must still get their hand wet while    attaching or detaching a disposable pad element. The need to touch    the disposable pad element precludes the use of stronger cleaning    chemicals than would otherwise be the case. In some environments,    detaching soiled pad elements from a mop head represents a health    hazard. For example, in hospitals there are large numbers of    microorganisms that cause infections. It would not be safe for a    maintenance worker to touch a soiled pad element directly with a    bare hand after mopping a hospital room floor. With prior art    disposable pad elements, a protective glove would have to be worn    before detaching the soiled pad element. Once removed, prior art    disposable pad elements can still represent a source of    contamination, as the pad is not necessarily isolated.-   (b) Chemicals to enhance the cleaning, dusting or disinfecting    action of a floor mop or a dust mop are common. Disposable pad    elements moistened with such chemicals are desirable but difficult    to handle. A consumer may not want to touch a pad element moistened    with a strong cleaning chemical because of potential irritation to    the skin. This represents a paradox for the buyer of disposable    cleaning pad elements: the more effective the chemically-treated pad    elements are at cleaning dirty floors, the less willing the user is    to handle the pad elements while directly attaching them and    detaching them from the mop head. This leads manufacturers to use    milder cleaning solutions than they otherwise would choose if the    user did not have to touch the disposable pad elements. This is a    particularly important issue for use of disposable pad elements in    hospitals or other high-risk environments. Extra strong cleaning    chemicals can help prevent the spread of nosocomial infections by    reducing the general bacterial load on floor surfaces. However, with    prior art devices, there has been a limitation on strength of such    chemicals used to soak disposable pad elements unless users also    wore gloves to protect themselves from the harsh effects of such    chemicals during installation and removal of the pad elements from    the mop head.-   (c) Pre-moistened disposable pad elements have a propensity to dry    out before use. While pad elements can be stored in a sealable,    waterproof container, such pad elements can and do dry out if stored    for long periods of time between use. A wet mop with a disposable    pad element is of little benefit to the consumer once the    pre-moistened pad elements have dried out. Even if the pad elements    don't dry out, the container in which the pad elements are stored    must be placed in a flat position on the floor, on a shelf or on a    counter top, thus wasting valuable storage space.-   (d) Current disposable pad elements have to resist tearing across    their entire surface when placed on a mop head because they are most    commonly attached to the mop head only at the four corners. This    tear resistance across the entire mop head surface can lead to    higher manufacturing costs compared to pad elements that can be    attached to the mop head at multiple sites on the face of the mop    head.-   (e) Current disposable pad elements can be difficult to attach to    the mop head. The element must be positioned centrally on the mop    head while each of the four corners is tucked around to the opposite    face and inserted into the attachment mechanism. The disposable pad    element can dislodge during the installation procedure, making it    difficult to line up the corners of the pad with the attachment    mechanisms.-   (f) Current disposable pad elements are stored separate from the mop    head, sometimes getting lost in the clutter of objects stored in the    cleaning closet or under the sink.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is based on the novel and surprising concept of using adisposable sheath with a first surface and a second surface to attachone or more pad elements to a specially designed mop head. In the firstposition, one or more pad elements attached to the first surface faceinward, either for storage prior to initial use or for touch-freedisposal following use. In the second position, one or more padsattached to the first surface face outward and can be used to apply acleaning, dusting or disinfecting solution to a floor surface. Thedisposable sheath is placed into each of the two positions by means ofmoving the sheath over a specially designed mop head that inverts thesheath as it moves from the first position, in which it is initiallystored, to the second position where it is used on a floor surface andthen back to the first position where it can be disposed of in asanitary fashion.

In one embodiment the mop head takes the shape of a partially flattenedcylinder with an interior surface and an exterior surface. A disposablesheath in the first position, with one or more pad elements facinginward, is placed inside the hollow mop head. The one or more padelements attached to the first surface of sheath in the first positioncan be wetted with a cleaning, dusting or disinfecting solution andsealed within a first chamber to prevent evaporation of the solutionduring storage. Upon opening of the first chamber, one end of disposablesheath is pulled out and over the edge of the mop head, inverting thesheath in the process. Following complete inversion of the sheath as itis drawn down the length of the mop head, the one or more moistened padelements attached to the first surface are now located in the secondposition with the pad elements facing outward. When the disposablesheath is in the second position, the second surface of the disposablesheath faces inward and contacts the mop head on its exterior surface.

In the preferred embodiment, a tether element is attached to one end ofthe disposable sheath. After the one or more moistened pad elements inthe second position have been used to clean, dust or disinfect a floorsurface, the tether element attached to the interior surface of the mophead can be pulled out from the interior of the mop head, returning thepad elements to the first position facing inward where they can then bediscarded. Returning the soiled pad elements to the first positionwithout the user having to touch the contaminated surface leads to easydisposal of the sheath and is one of the many novel aspects of thisinvention.

In the preferred embodiment the mop head and attachment rod areconfigured to facilitate the easy placement of the disposable sheath onthe mop head. The mop head can be placed in a mostly vertical positionby resting the entire mop head assembly on a loading plate attached to arod, with the rod angled to place the mop head directly over the loadingplate. The stand provided by means of the loading plate makes both handsof the user available to invert the sheath over the mop head.

In another embodiment, multiple disposable sheaths are placed in astorage cartridge that can be easily loaded into the mop head. In yetanother embodiment, multiple disposable sheaths can be stored in adisposable mop head that can be discarded after all the individualsheaths have been used.

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present inventionare:

-   (a) to provide a disposable sheath with at least one pad element    moistened with cleaning, dusting or disinfecting solution sealed in    chamber one. The placement and inversion of the disposable sheath    upon the mop head can be achieved without the user ever directly    contacting the moistened pad elements;-   (b) to provide a means of safely using stronger cleaning, dusting or    disinfecting chemicals to treat the pad elements for enhanced    efficacy in removing debris and grime from the floor surface without    endangering the user;-   (c) to provide a packaging system that prevents the moistened or    treated pad elements from drying out before use;-   (d) to provide the means of cleaning twice the floor surface area    with the installation of a single disposable sheath by positioning    moistened or chemically treated pad elements simultaneously to both    the top and bottom surfaces of a mop head in one operation, which    surfaces can be interchanged during the mopping operation;-   (e) to provide a means of easily flipping the mop head over to    facilitate the use of cleaning pad elements located on both outside    surfaces of the mop head;-   (f) to provide a means of easily loading the disposable sheath onto    the mop head;-   (g) to provide a means of firmly attaching the disposable sheath to    the mop head so that the cleaning pads are held firmly in place and    don't become loosened with vigorous cleaning action on the floor    surface;-   (h) to provide a means to easily and quickly remove the disposable    sheath with the attached cleaning pad elements from the mop head and    dispose of them without the user ever having to touch a dirty, wet    or chemically treated pad element surface;-   (i) to provide a means for isolating the dirty surfaces of cleaning    pad elements to be disposed of after use;-   (j) to provide a convenient storage location for multiple disposable    sheaths with attached pad elements inside the mop head itself;-   (k) to provide a convenient cartridge containing multiple disposable    sheaths that can be loaded easily and quickly into the mop head;-   (l) to provide a disposable mop head that contains multiple    disposable sheaths.-   (m) to provide a means to easily place the disposable sheath on the    mop head by positioning the mop head at an angle approximately 15    degrees off vertical as it rests on a loading plate attached to the    rod; and-   (n) to provide a means to use lower cost raw materials in    manufacturing the pad elements and packaging.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent froma consideration of the drawings and ensuing descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the presentinvention will be better understood from the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disposable sheath with attachedcleaning pad elements and a tether that is fully extended. The extendedtether is for illustration purposes. In its original storage positionthe tether is folded as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a cross section side view of the disposable sheath withattached pad elements facing inward, with a folded tether attached tothe distal end.

FIG. 3 is a cross section end view of the disposable sheath withattached moistened cleaning d elements facing inward.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the mop head andhandle according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 a cross section end view of the mop head and handle of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mop head and handle of FIG. 4standing upright on its loading plate with the disposable sheath fromFIG. 1 located in the interior of the mop head.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the disposable sheath of FIG. 6partially inverted over the mop head of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross section side view of the mop head in a mostly verticalloading position attached to a rod resting on a loading plate.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cartridge containing multipledisposable sheaths partially loaded into the mop head.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a disposable mop head containingmultiple disposable sheaths and a separate attachment rod.

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

1 Disposable sheath with pad elements.

2 Upper pad element attached to the first surface of the disposablesheath.

3 Second surface of disposable sheath.

4 Permanent seal at distal end of first storage chamber of disposablesheath.

6 Temporary seal at proximal end of first storage chamber of disposablesheath.

8 Lower tab at proximal end of disposable sheath that is drawn out andover the mop head to invert the disposable sheath.

10 Upper tab at proximal end of disposable sheath that is drawn out andover the mop head to invert the disposable sheath.

12 Tether attached to the distal end of the disposable sheath.

14 Lower pad element attached to the first surface of the disposablesheath.

16 First surface of the disposable sheath.

20 Flattened cylinder shape mop head with an interior and an exteriorsurface.

22 Rounded end edge of the mop head.

24 Rod which attaches mop head to connector.

26 Hinge joint at which connector is attached to rod.

28 Connector used to attach rod to a mop handle.

30 Molded section where rod attaches to mop head.

32 Cavity or hole into which rod is placed, connecting rod to mop head.

34 Flat upper exterior surface of mop head.

35 Flat lower exterior surface of mop head.

36 Interior surface of mop head.

38 Loading plate attached to rod which is used to support mop head in asubstantially vertical position during inverting of the disposablesheath.

40 Distal end of mop head.

42 Bent rod with an angle of approximately 75 degrees.

44 Disposable loading cartridge containing multiple disposable sheaths.

46 Disposable mop head containing multiple disposable sheaths

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of disposable sheath 1. Disposablesheath 1 can be fabricated from plastic, metal foil or any other pliablematerial that is impervious to penetration by water, cleaning solutionor chemical that may be used for cleaning, dusting or disinfecting.Disposable sheath I is sealed with a temporary seal 6 to form a closedfirst chamber with moistened pad elements on the inside that won't dryout or release chemicals before use. Sealing of individual moistened padelements 2 and 14 helps prevent the drying out of other pad elements, amajor drawback to other mop systems that include disposable moistenedpad elements packaged in bulk. Tab 10 corresponds to the upper portionof disposable sheath I while tab 8 corresponds to the lower portion ofthe sheath. Permanent seal 4 is provided at the distal end of the firstsealed chamber of disposable sheath 1. This permanent seal 4 and thetemporary seal 6 provide an enclosed first chamber to prevent themoistened pad elements 2 and 14 from drying out. Tether 12 which extendspast permanent seal 4 is used to move disposable sheath 1 from thesecond position to the first position, or turning it outside in oncecleaning, dusting or disinfecting operations have been completed anddisposable sheath 1 is ready to be discarded.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section side view of disposable sheath 1. Secondsurface 3 faces outward. First surface 16 faces inward. Pad elements 2and 14 are attached to first surface 16 and face each other. Temporaryseal 6 connects the top and bottom first surfaces of sheath 1. Tabs 8and 10 extend past temporary seal 6. Tether 12 is folded in half tocontact a portion of the upper second surface 3 of disposable sheath 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section end view of disposable sheath I with secondsurface 3 facing outward when disposable sheath I is in the firstposition. Pad elements 2 and 14 are attached to first surface 16 andface inward when in the first position, as configured when being storedinside the mop head prior to use. Pad elements 2 and 14 can be providedin the form of woven or non-woven natural or synthetic material or froma paper towel-like material. Sponge-like materials are also possible.Pad elements 2 and 14 are attached to the first surface 16 of disposablesheath I by means of adhesive, heat sealing, sonicating or any othermethod that will ensure sufficient strength of attachment. The method isnot as important as simply binding pad elements 2 and 14 to the firstsurface 16 of disposable sheath I so that said pad elements stay inplace while a floor or other surface is vigorously cleaned, dusted ordisinfected. The folding of the wall of disposable sheath 1 between padelements 2 and 14 on both sides provides the necessary additionalcircumference to the sheath to be drawn out and over a mop head thateffects a change in position of the pad elements from the first positionwhere they face inward to the second position where they face outward.The folding configuration of disposable sheath 1 and pad elements 2 and14 facilitate the placement and storage of disposable sheath 1 inside amop head prior to use.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the mop head 20. Mop head 20 isshaped like a partially flattened cylinder having a flat upper exteriorsurface 34 and a flat lower exterior surface 35 on the opposite side ofthe mop head 20. Two rounded sides 22 connect top surface 34 to bottomsurface 35 of mop head 20. Mop head 20 may be fabricated from plastic,metal or any other suitable material that can be formed into thepreferred shape of a flattened cylinder. While the flattened cylindricalshape is the preferred shape, other shapes, such as a head withnon-parallel upper and lower surfaces, non-flat surfaces, a triangularshape, non-parallel sides or even curved sides may be used. Theessential requirement is that mop head 20 provide a stabilizing base towhich second surface 3 of disposable sheath 1 can contact and be held inplace.

A mop handle is attached to the mop head at connector 28. Connector 28is attached to rod 24 at pivot joint 26. Rod 24 is bent at severallocations and is attached to the inside of mop head 20 through hole 32in molded section 30. Rod 24 is similar in shape to the rod portion of apaint roller except that connector 28 is attached to rod 24 at hinge 26.Rod 24 is secured to mop head 20 along the length of molded section 30,providing a pivot point between the mop head 20 and rod 24. This allowsmop head 20 to remain flat on the floor or other surface as the mophandle attached at connector 28 is raised or lowered and so that uppersurface 34 can be flipped to exchange position with lower surface 35 ofmop head 20. This provides the means for both exterior surfaces of mophead 20 to contact the floor once disposable sheath 1 is attached andthe mopping operation is commenced. Rod 24 is placed in hole or cavity32 of molded section 30 at distal end 40 of mop head 20.

Loading plate 38 is attached to rod 24 to provide a means upon which mophead 20 can be placed in a vertical position to easily effect a changeof disposable sheath 1 from the first position with pad elements facinginward to the second position with pad elements facing outward.

The dimensions of mop head 20 depend on the intended use. For typicalconsumer use, the upper surface 34 of mop head 20 would preferably beten inches in length and five inches in width. The distance between theupper exterior surface 34 and the lower exterior surface 35 could be aslittle as a half inch or as much as several inches. The preferred depthof the interior chamber of the mop head is such as to allow storage ofthe desired number of disposable sheaths 1 in the interior space. Thisis preferably ten or more. Mop head 20 designed for commercialapplications may have larger dimensions to facilitate coverage of largerfloor surface areas in less time. The wall thickness of mop head 20should be adequate to provide structural stability during use and tofacilitate the process of inverting disposable sheath 1 from the firstposition to the second position for cleaning and back to the firstposition for disposal. The wall thickness is preferably 1/4 inch.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section end view of mop head 20, rod 24, loadingplate 38, molded section 30 and connector 28. Rod 24 is attached to theinterior surface of mop head 20 by molded section 30. The end view ofthe mop head 20 illustrates the upper exterior surface 34 and bottomexterior surface 35 of mop head 20. Mop head 20 pivots around the axisformed by rod 24 where attached through cavity 32 by molded section 30.

FIG. 6 illustrates storage of disposable sheath 1 inside mop head 20 asit is placed in a vertical position that facilitates the movement ofdisposable sheath from the first position to the second position, or inother words, the movement of pad elements facing inward toward eachother to where the pad elements face outward.

FIG. 7 shows the process of turning disposable sheath 1 inside out bymoving the disposable sheath 1 from the first position to the secondposition. Tabs 8 and 10 are used to pull disposable sheath 1 out andover proximal end 22 of mop head 20. This effects a change of disposablesheath 1 from the first position to the second position. As disposablesheath 1 is everted, temporary seal 6 is broken, facilitating themovement of disposable sheath 1 from the first position to the secondposition along the length of mop head 20. Tab 8 is drawn out, over andback along lower exterior surface 35 of mop head 20 while tab 10 isdrawn out, over and back along upper exterior surface 34. Thecircumference of disposable sheath 1 is slightly larger than thecircumference of the exterior surface of mop head 20, providing a tightfit between disposable sheath 1 and mop head 20. Pad elements 2 and 14must be pliable enough to be drawn out and over rounded proximal end 22of mop head 20. Tabs 8 and 10 are drawn down the length of mop head 20until they reach distal end 40. Disposable sheath 1 can only be invertedto the point where permanent seal 4 is pulled even with proximal end 22of mop head 20. Permanent seal 4 also maintains disposable sheath 1 inplace around mop head 20. Without permanent seal 4, disposable sheath 1could slide freely around mop head 20. However permanent seal 4 preventsthe movement of sheath 1 around the mop head 20. Tether 12 is slightlylonger than the length of mop head 20. When disposable sheath 1 isturned completely inside out into the second position over mop head 20,tether 12 should still be in a position to be grasped inside distal end40 of mop head 20. After the floor is cleaned, dusted or disinfected bypassing the moistened pad elements over it, mop head 20 is rotated 180degrees around the axis formed by hole 32 where rod 24 is inserted. Thepad element on the opposite outside surface of the mop head is thenavailable for use. The simple step of installing one disposable sheath 1onto mop head 20 by turning it inside out provides for two moistened padelements 2 and 14 to be used to treat double the floor surface area.

Upon completion of the cleaning, dusting or disinfecting operation,after both moistened pad elements 2 and 14 are dirtied, tether 12 isgrasped from within distal end 40 of mop head 20 and pulled out and awayfrom mop head 20. This reverses the earlier process of placingdisposable sheath 1 on the exterior surface of mop head 20. It moves thedisposable sheath from the second position where pads 2 and 14 faceoutward back to the first position where the pads 2 and 14 face inward.Tether 12 is then used to pull the disposable sheath in the firstposition from inside mop head 20 for disposal. The simple operations ofinstalling and removing disposable sheath 1 without ever having to toucha wet surface with ones hands accomplishes two of the main objectives ofthe invention. This makes it possible to moisten pad elements 2 and 14with stronger chemical cleaners than would otherwise be the case if theuser were required to touch the wet surface of pad elements 2 and 14with his or her fingers. In addition, the disposal operation is not onlysafer for the consumer it is more hygienic because the user never has totouch the soiled pad elements 2 and 14. They are isolated in the firstposition within the disposable sheath that has been turned outside in.

FIG. 8 shows mop head 20 inclined approximately 15 degrees from thevertical plane as it is attached to rod 24. The fixed open angle in thebend of rod 24 is approximately 75 degrees in the bend nearest to themop head 20 and 105 degrees in the bend away from the mop head 20. Thisplaces the center of gravity of the proximal end of mop head 20 directlyover loading plate 38. The free-standing mop head 20 positioned overloading plate 38 frees both hands of the user to invert disposablesheath 1 over mop head 20.

FIG. 9 shows the mop head 20 being loaded with a disposable cartridge 44in which multiple disposable sheaths I are stored. The disposablecartridge 44 is the purchasing unit pre-loaded with multiple disposablesheaths 1. Disposable cartridge 44 can be easily and quickly loaded intomop head 20, providing a handy storage space for the disposable sheaths1.

FIG. 10 shows multiple disposable sheaths 1 loaded into a disposable mophead 46. The disposable mop head 46 becomes the purchasing unit andstorage unit for the multiple sheaths 1 before being attached toattachment rod 24. After attachment rod 24 is inserted into hole 32 ofdisposable mop head 46, disposable mop head 46 functions in the samemanner as mop head 20 that can be used to clean floors and othersurface.

Combining two chemicals, such as an activator and a base solution, andapplying it to the disposable mop head just before use can lead toenhanced microbicidal activity. Another embodiment of this inventionwould be to apply the base chemical to the pad elements at time ofmanufacture and store the activator in the tether. Just before use, theactivator could be transferred, all under a closed system, from thetether through a breakable seal to compartment one containing the padelements where it could activate the base chemical for maximumdisinfecting power. This extreme design feature would likely only berequired in hospital applications where germicidal activity in cleaningfloors is of the utmost importance.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible andcontemplated in light of the above teachings by those skilled in theart, and the embodiments discussed were chosen and described in order tobest illustrate the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the claims appended hereto.

1. A device for cleaning, dusting or applying disinfectants to a surfacecomprising: a.) a sheath having a first surface and a second surface,said sheath capable of assuming two positions, in said first positionsaid first surface faces inward defining a first opening and a firstchamber, and said second surface faces outward defining a second openingand a second chamber; b.) at least one pad element affixed to said firstsurface for cleaning, dusting or applying disinfectants as said sheathassumes said second position; c.) seal means associated with at leastone of said first and second surfaces to close said first chamber forstoring said pad element before use or after use.
 2. The device of claim1 wherein said at least one pad element is loaded with a solution foreffecting at least one of the group of tasks consisting of cleaning,dusting or disinfecting.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said at leastone pad is stored in said first position with said first chamber closedwith seal means to prevent said solution from evaporating.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said at least one pad element is used in said secondposition and upon exhaustion of the pad element, said sheath is capableof being returned to said first position and said seal means sealed tocontain said pad element.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said secondchamber receives a hand or a cleaning implement.
 6. The device of claim2 wherein said second chamber receives an implement head.
 7. The deviceof claim 1 further comprising a tether element projecting from saidsecond surface to facilitate moving said sheath from said secondposition to said first position.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein saidsheath cooperates with an implement head having an exterior surface andan interior surface, said sheath assuming said second position with saidimplement head occupying said second chamber and said second surfaceabutting said exterior surface.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein saidimplement has at least one interior surface defining a passage, saidsheath received in said passage in said first position and assuming saidsecond position as said second surface is drawn over in abuttingrelationship with said exterior surface of said implement head.
 10. Thedevice of claim 8 wherein said sheath has a tether element projectingfrom said second surface, said tether element occupying said passagewhen said sheath is in said second position and capable of drawing saidsheath into said first position in cooperation with said implement headas said tether element is withdrawn from said passage.
 11. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said seal means is selected from the group of closurescomprising adhesive, interfitting flange and groove, and heat seal. 12.The device of claim 1 wherein said sheath is comprised of one or morematerials selected from the group consisting of metal foils, polyfoilsor plastic.
 13. The device of claim 6 further comprising an implementhead.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein said implement head has asinterior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surface defininga passage for receiving said sheath in a first position said exteriorsurface for receiving said sheath in said second position.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14 wherein said implement head holds a plurality ofsheaths in a first position for storage until placed in said secondposition.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein said implement head iscapable of attachment and removal from an implement handle to allow animplement head with an exhausted supply of sheaths to be replaced. 17.The device of claim 16 further comprising a handle element wherein atleast one of said handle element and said implement head has one or moreloading surfaces, said loading surfaces cooperate with a flat surface tohold said implement head substantially vertical, to facilitate movingsaid sheath to a second position.
 18. A method of cleaning ordisinfecting a surface comprising the steps of a.) providing a devicehaving a sheath, at least one pad element and seal means, said sheathhaving a first surface and a second surface, said sheath capable ofassuming two positions, in said first position said first surface facesinward toward itself defining a first opening and a first chamber andsaid second surface faces outward; said at least one pad element affixedto said first surface for cleaning, dusting or applying disinfectants assaid sheath assumes said second position; said seal means associatedwith at least one of said first and second surfaces to close said firstchamber for storing said pad element before use or after use; and b.)opening said at least one seal means at said first opening andmanipulating said sheath into said second position; c.) using said atleast one pad to clean, dust or apply disinfecting agents; and, d.)manipulating said sheath back into said first position for disposal. 19.The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of closing said atleast one seal means to contain said at least one pad.
 20. The method ofclaim 18 wherein said sheath cooperates with an implement head having anexterior surface and an interior surface, said sheath assuming saidsecond position with said implement head occupying said second chamberand said second surface abutting said exterior surface and said sheathis drawn over said implement head as said sheath assumes said secondposition.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein said implement has at leastone interior surface defining a passage, said sheath received in saidpassage in said first position and assuming said second position as saidsecond surface is drawn over in abutting relationship with said exteriorsurface of said implement head.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein saidsheath has a tether element projecting from said second surface, saidtether element occupying said passage when said sheath is in said secondposition and capable of drawing said sheath into said first position incooperation with said implement head as said tether element is withdrawnfrom said passage said method further comprising the step of withdrawingsaid tether element to place said pad element in said first chamber. 23.The method of claim 22 wherein said first chamber is sealed with saidseal means.
 24. The method of claim 20 wherein said implement head hasas interior surface and an exterior surface, said interior surfacedefining a passage for receiving said sheath in a first position saidexterior surface for receiving said sheath in said second position, saidmethod further comprising the step of storing at least one sheath insaid passage.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein said implement headholds a plurality of sheaths in a first position for storage untilplaced in said second position.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein saidimplement head is capable of attachment and removal from an implementhandle to allow an implement head with an exhausted supply of sheaths tobe replaced, said method further comprising the step of replacing saidimplement head upon exhaustion of the supply of sheaths.